Going Public

Going public...

A popular buzzword going around in entertainment and marketing today is "buzz". Well, yesterday I found out a little bit about "buzz". (He's a nice guy really, and I think he gets a bad rap in Toy Story.) As was the plan, that really came together nicely, Pastor Phil concluded his sermon series on A Heart for the Harvest. He started week 1 with the introduction of the theme. Week 2 was the laws of sowing and reaping. Week 3, giving birth to the work of God. And Week 4 the Vision God was leading us in Releasing (Severn River Church). It went fantastic. I was really pleased.

It was most interesting to hear the buzzing that started after the service. I really get a kick out of it. People who respond in a range of emotions, and others who don't show any emotion at all. Some who think I'm leaving tomorrow, and others who think there's no real separation. The most interesting thing though is the teen buzz...

Quakers in Truth Seekers...

I was a little surprised at the starkness of the teens when we met for Sunday School. Looking back I guess some of them were pretty stunned. I remember that when I was 13 and found out my youth pastor was leaving it was a very emotional thing for me. I cried a lot about it. The buzz I heard later was that many students went home and processed it, and some of them were emotional then.

In truth seekers on student asked, "Will you be coming back after you start the new church?" It made me realize that many people don't know what "church planting" is. It's very easy to get used to saying jargon that is very familiar in some circles and not so in others.

The big question of course seems to be, "who/when will the church hire someone to replace me?" That's a question that hasn't been answered. I don't think it's a question going away. So, I look forward to when the board decides on that.

Things people said...

I was really encouraged by the many people who spoke to me after the announcements.

One man said, "I feel confirmation in my heart that this is what God has called you to do."

One man said, "I would wish you luck, but I don't believe in luck. So Good Hope!"

One mother of a friend I grew up with hugged me and said, "It's a shame that we'll miss you, but I know God is calling you."

I got a chuckle out of the woman who said, "I thought PAG was the church on the Broadneck pennisula. The humor is found in the fact that this woman lives on the penninsula, and has talked with me about how much her neighborhood has grown, and how many new people are moving in. We need a ton of churches in this area. The idea that one church of 200 reaching the Broadneck with the pentecostal message is part of what challenges me to plant this church.

Differences in the church...

I guess all of it raised many questions about the new church and the top questions seem to be: 1.) Where are you planning to build your new church, and 2.) What kind (read style) of church will it be?

Well, the stated mission of Severn River Church is as follows:

The mission of Severn River Church is to become a significant church in the greater Annapolis area; making disciples, baptizing them, and teaching them to obey God’s word.

Our Vision:

Severn River Church will be a strategic location from which to launch a movement of churches. We will target Annapolis and it’s outlying communities. Annapolis is the county seat of Anne Arundel County, the state capital of Maryland. By changing this area we can affect the spiritual destiny of Maryland.

Our core values are listed in an earlier post. These things I think more than anything else speak to answer the important questions like, "Why?" The How's will always work for the Why's. When it's the other way around any organization with falter in it's effectiveness.

It was a great day. My thanks to my growing number of supporters.

--Ben